Last week World Nomads launched their new scholarship program with partners, Gap Adventures, National Geographic Adventure, and Hostel World, giving one lucky winner the chance to introduce their film career as they take on documentary travel assignments in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Aspiring documentary filmmakers can apply for a World Nomads’ scholarship that will lead the recipient into the Ecuadorian jungle with documentary producer Trent O’Donnell (who filmed World Nomads’ Positive Footprints series screened on National Geographic Adventure Channel). The resulting documentary will be reviewed by the channel for possible inclusion in its upcoming show schedule.

The Ecuadorian Amazon adventure will give the lucky scholarship recipient a first hand view of how tourism can impact on a local community, the issues around trying to achieve it sustainably and the challenges faced. They’ll travel with Gap Adventures, exploring the Amazonian jungle and home staying with the indigenous Quichua community. Pre and post trip lodging will be accommodated by Hostelworld.com.

Among the trip leaders will be Bruce Poon Tip (Gap Adventures’ CEO and founder) as he revisits Ecuador’s spectacular Andean Interior and Amazon lowlands. It’s been 20 years since the first Gap Adventures trip was run in the Amazon and there’s a need and desire to share how sustainable tourism has positively impacted the Quichua people.

As part of an underlying storyline, the trip will also reveal how the Footprints Network can make a difference to communities in need as Simon Monk (founder of WorldNomads.com and the Footprints Network) visits a project providing schooling equipment to the local Quichua primary school.

Who can apply?

* Anyone can apply – this is open to film students, lovers of film or anyone who’s trying to build a career in documentary making!

* Minimum age 18 with a current passport.

* You should be a mad-keen auteur with a lust for adventure and burning desire to be a documentary maker.

* You must be fit and healthy as moderate levels of trekking are involved.

Applicants must submit a 3 minute documentary in English for judging based on the theme “Local Encounters.” For more details and to apply, click here.

Deadline is August 1, 2010 – good luck!

–
WorldNomads.com provides global travel safety products and services to travelers from over 150 countries around the world. From great value travel insurance, travel safety advice, language guides and free online travel journals, WorldNomads.com provides the tools to keep you travelling safely. All clients can donate to a community development project when purchasing travel insurance through the Footprints Charity program. WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurance companies.

Read more posts by Alisha

This entry was posted on Friday, May 21st, 2010 at 2:26 PM and is filed under Community Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.